Application of VR in Enhancing Social Competence of Children with ASD

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit deficits in core social competencies, including social communication, emotional expression and cognitive comprehension, which significantly hinder their social integration and quality of life. However, traditional rehabilitation approaches have inherent limitations. Virtual Reality (VR) technology, characterized by immersion, interactivity, safety, controllability and personalized customization, offers a novel avenue for social skills intervention in ASD children. This paper systematically synthesizes the current status and evidence regarding the application of VR technology to enhance social abilities in ASD children. The study indicates that VR, through simulated social scenarios and emotional feedback training, significantly facilitates the acquisition of communication skills, emotional expression and social cognitive capacities in ASD children, effectively increasing their proactive social behaviors and reducing anxiety-driven avoidance. Feedback from parents and educators confirms that VR-based training enhances motivation and efficiency compared to traditional methods, with superior long-term skill retention outcomes. However, current research is still limited by small sample sizes, insufficient long-term tracking, high hardware costs, and underdeveloped individualized adaptation mechanisms. Furthermore, the neural mechanisms underlying VR efficacy and ethical concerns, such as data privacy, require further in-depth exploration. This paper systematically synthesizes evidence regarding the effectiveness of VR interventions and identifies existing challenges, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing clinical rehabilitation practices and supporting the sustainable development of social abilities in children with ASD.